Bracelet



June 27, 1 939. E, J, BEAUPRE BRACELE T Filed June 30, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet v1 EL] J. BEAUAQ INVENTOR ym a. amau ATTORNEY June 27, 1939. E. J. BEAUPRE BRACELET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 30, 1938 EIQJO BIG] L10. 8"

EL] J. "BEA UAQA;

INVENTOR ATTO NEY Patented June 27, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRACELET setts Application June 30, 1938, Serial No. 216,744

17 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in bracelets. An object of my invention is to provide an improved bracelet structure comprising two substantially semi-circular or semi-elliptical members or sections having the inner ends thereof pivotally joined together. In one embodiment of my invention said members are so obliquely laterally bent from inner to outer end a sufficient distance, in my preferred embodiment substantially one-half the width of the inner ends thereof, that the outer ends thereof may be telescopically slidable past each other to vary the efiective length of the bracelet.

A further object of my invention is to provide either the bracelet members or their pivot means of such laterally resilient construction as to cause the relatively overlapping outer ends of said bracelet to laterally bear against each other to remain locked in a set position on the wrist.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for locking the bracelet member sections in adjusted position, said locking means being substantially completely concealed from View when in position on the wearers wrist.

A further object of one embodiment of my invention is to provide such a locking means for bracelets of this description in which the bracelet members or sections may be relatively moved to vary the effective circumstance of said bracelet and locked in a desired position at a plurality of such effective circumstances.

A further object of my invention is to provide a substantially semi-circular member for use in making bracelets constructed of resilient material and preferably tapering along the outer edge thereof from inner to outer end thereof so that when the inner ends of two sections are pivotally joined together the inner portions thereof will be of such inherent resiliency that they will laterally bend to permit insertion of the locking means.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bracelet section which is bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer end, preferably substantially one-half the width. of the inner end thereof, so that the outer ends of said sections may be bent laterally to overlap each other and resiliently laterally retract to cooperate to retain the looking means on the inner edges thereof in locked position. I

A further object of my invention relates to improvements in the various parts of my improved bracelet.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved type of bracelet constructed of a minimum number of easily manufactured part's, strong, durable and positive in its locking action.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying p drawings which illustrate an embodiment thereof.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of bracelet constructed in accordance with my invention in attached position on the wrist, the wrist being suggested in dotted lines. 10

Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 of my improved bracelet shown therein with the respective members relatively pivoted laterally to permit the insertion of the locking pin means in a selected hole to vary the eifective circumference 15 of the bracelet.

Fig. 3 is an edge elevation of my improved bracelet in locked position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view thereof taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view showing the hinge means in an open position.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of my improved bracelet in partially open position.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a blank for making my 25 improved bracelet prior to being curved in substantially semi-circular form and obliquely laterally bent or partially helicized.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the bracelet section shown in Fig. '7 after it has been helicized or bent 30 substantially semi-circular in form and obliquely laterally bent from inner to outer end.

Fig. 9 is a plan View of an alternative embodiment of a bracelet constructed in accordance with my invention in open position. 5

Fig. 10 is a plan View of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 9 in closed position.

Fig. 11 is an edge elevation of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 in closed locked position. 40

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference generally indicate like parts throughout, l0 generally indicates a bracelet constructed in accordance with my invention.

Said bracelet includes two substantially semi- 45 circular members or sections 12 and I4, each preferably bent obliquely laterally from the inner end Hi to the outer end 18 in my preferred embodiment as shown more particularly in Fig. 4 substantially one-half the width of the inner 50 ends l6 and tapering outwardly as at I3 along the outer edge from inner to outer end. While the members l2 and [4 of my bracelet may be constructed of any suitable material they are preferably each constructed of flat metal stock comprising the top walls 20 which may be suitably ornamented if desired and in my preferred embodiment provided with the side walls 22 projecting integrally downwardly therefrom.

I also provide means 23 to pivotally join the inner ends I6 of said members together. Either said members and/or said pivot means are so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit expansible pivotal movement of said members I2 and I4 past each other to vary the effective circumferences of said bracelet and to cause the adjacent edges 24- of said members to abut each other to resiliently retain said bracelet in a fixed locked position on the wearers wrist.

In my preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8 the inner portions I6 of said members I2 and I4 are preferably of relatively small width as said members taper outwardly as at I3 along the outer edge from inner to outer end, and as the portions I6 are of relatively small width the resiliency is provided thereinfor the lateral bending of the members relative to each other.

In my preferred embodiment the pivot means 23 comprises pivot ears in my preferred embodiment, two pivot ears 25 projecting forwardly from each side of the inner end of the member I2 and a pivot ear 26 projecting forwardly from the center of the inner end of the other member I4 and a pivot pin 28 inserted through said aligned ears.

I also provide means normally concealed from view for locking the relatively overlapping outer ends I8 of said members I2 and I4 in a selected position on the wearers Wrist and in my preferred embodiment said means comprises pin means 30 projecting laterally from the inner side wall of one of said members, in my preferred embodiment'shown, the member I2, adjacent the free outer end thereof and a plurality of circumferentially aligned lateral holes @211, 32b and 320 in the other of said members in my preferred embodiment the opposite member I4 preferably in the inner side wall 22 projecting downwardly therefrom adjacent said other member I2. In my preferred embodiment, the members I2 and I4 are bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer ends substantially one-half the width of the inner ends thereof and suflicient resiliency is provided in the bracelet in my improved embodiment in the inner ends I6 of said sections to permit sufficient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means3fl in a selected hole 32a, 32b or 320 to vary the effective circumferences of said braceletto fit wrists of different sizes and when lateral relative pressure is released from said members I2 and I4 to permit said pin means to sink within said selected hole and resiliently retain said pin means within said hole to secure said bracelet in a locked positionof the desired circumference on the wearers wrist. If desired, however, a single hole 32 only may be employed. Employing a plurality of selected holes, however, it is obvious that a standard bracelet may be made to fit different sized wrists.

While the members I2 and I4 may be obliquely laterally bent from inner to outer end thereof in any suitable manner in the manufacture of my bracelet the blank II is stamped out from fiat stock of the general shape shown tapering outwardly from inner to outer end as at I3. The blank shown in Fig. '7 is then suitably cupped by'rolling, stamping, pressing or in any other suitable manner to form a substantially semicircular half section as shown in Fig. 8. While the device is being cupped it is preferably simultaneously obliquely laterally bent in the same shaping operation, the two operations being preferably performed together, thus helicizing the stock, namely, simultaneously bending it into arcuate shape and laterally. I have shown in Fig. 8 in dotted lines the actual projection of the circular shaped section I2 shown therein which shows how it is obliquely laterally bent.

I have shown in Figs. 9-11 a continuous type of bracelet III employing a single locking hole In this type of device one bracelet section I2 is provided with a tongue 34 and the other bracelet section I4 is provided with a tongue 36 projecting forwardly therefrom at opposite sides of each outer end I8 thereof adapted to lie adjacent each other in closed position, as shown in Fig. to form the continuous bracelet shown in Figs. 9 to 11. One of said tongues in the embodiment shown, the tongue 36, has the pin means 39' projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said tongues has a lateral hole 32 in the side wall thereof opposite said pin means for receiving said pin means 30' therein to provide a continuous bracelet ID shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

It is apparent, however, that instead of employing flat stock any type of stock may be employed for making up the two sections which may or may not be obliquely laterally bent.

It is apparent, therefore, that I provide a novel type of readily adjustable bracelet constructed of a minimum number of simple parts and with a simple type of concealed locking means with the advantages described above. In the claims I employ the word semi-circular to include a semicircle or any continuous arcuate shape whether it forms part of a true circle, ellipse or otherwise.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members each constructed of fiat stock having downwardly projecting side walls, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a plurality of circumferentially aligned lateral holes in the side wall thereof opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufiicient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in a selected hole to vary the effective circumference of said bracelet and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said selected hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

2. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members each constructed of flat stock, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a plurality of circumferentially aligned lateral holes opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit suflicient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in a selected hole to vary the effective circumstance of said bracelet and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said selected hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

3. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members each constructed of fiat stock bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer end away from each other, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a plurality of circumferentially aligned lateral holes therein opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufficient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in a selected hole to vary the effective circumference of said bracelet and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said selected hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers Wrist.

4. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members each constructed of flat stock bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer end away from each other and tapering outwardy along the outer edge thereof from inner to outer end, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a plurality of circumferentially aligned lateral holes therein opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, the thin inner portions of said members being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufiicient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in a selected hole to vary the effective circumference of said bracelet and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said selected hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

5. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a plurality of circumferentially aligned lateral holes opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufficient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in a selected hole to vary the effective circumference of said bracelet and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said selected hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

6. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer end away from each other, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a plurality of circumferentially aligned lateral holes opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufilcient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in a selected hole to vary the effective circumference of said bracelet and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said selected hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

7. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members each constructed of flat stock, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefromadjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a lateral hole in the side wall thereof opposite said pin means, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit suificient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in said hole and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

8. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members each constructed of flat stock bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer end away from each other, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a lateral hole therein opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufiicient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in said hole and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

9. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members each constructed of flat stock bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer end away from each other and tapering outwardly along the outer edge thereof from inner to outer end, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a lateral hole therein opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, the thin inner portions of said members being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufficient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in said hole and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

10. A bracelet, comprising tWo substantially semi-circular members, means topivotally join the inner ends of .said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a lateral hole opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufiicient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in said hole and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

11. A bracelet, comprising two substantially semi-circular members bent obliquely laterally' from inner to outer end, means to pivotally join the inner ends of said members together, one of said members having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the free outer end thereof and the other of said members having a lateral hole opposite said pin means adjacent the ing laterally from its respective tongue ad acent free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit suificient lateral'movernent for lateral insertion of said pin means in said hole and then to the free outer end thereof and the other of said members. having a lateral hole in the side Wall of its respective tongue opposite said pin means adjacent the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufiicient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in said hole and then to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means within said hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

13. A substantially semi-circularmember foruse in making bracelets constructed of resilient flat stock bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer end substantially one half the width of the inner end thereof and tapering outwardly along the outer edge thereof from inner to outer end and having locking means on the inner edge thereof adapted to cooperate with locking means on an opposite bracelet section to lock the bracelet.

14. A substantially semi-circular member for use in making bracelets constructed of resilient fiat stock bent obliquely laterally from inner to outer end substantially one half the width of the inner end thereof and having locking means on the inner edge thereof adapted to cooperate with locking means on an opposite bracelet section to lock the bracelet.

15. A substantially semi-circular member for use in making bracelets constructed of resilient flat stool; tapering outwardly along the outer edge thereof from inner to outer end and having locking means on the inner edge thereof adapted to cooperate with locking means on an opposite bracelet section to lock the bracelet.

16. A bracelet comprising circular resilient means having laterally overlapping ends, one of said ends having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent to the free outer end thereof and the other of said ends having a lateral hole opposite said pin means adjacent to the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so resiliently constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufficient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in said hole and to resiliently mterally retract to retain said pin means within said hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a Wearers Wrist.

17. A bracelet comprising circular resilient means having laterally overlapping ends, one of said ends having pin means projecting laterally therefrom adjacent to the free outer end thereof and the other. of said ends having a plurality of circumferentially aligned lateral holes opposite said pin means adjacent to the free outer end thereof, said bracelet being so constructed as to resiliently bend to permit sufficient lateral movement for lateral insertion of said pin means in a selectedhole to vary the effective circumference of said bracelet and to resiliently laterally retract to retain said pin means Within said hole to secure said bracelet in a locked position on a wearers wrist.

ELI J. BEAUPRE. 

